Holga

Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Holga shopping experience:

1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Holga offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Holga at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.

2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about

3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Holga? Wrong! If the Holga is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.

4. Questions - Got a question about Holga then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....

5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Holga? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Holga and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.

6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Holga wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.

7. Feedback - happy with your Holga then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.

8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Holga site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site

9. Contact - got a question about Holga, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.

10. Payment - ready to pay for your Holga, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.

{{Infobox_Camera | camera_model = Holga | image = ]| manufacturer = various | camera_type = [box camera | sensor_type = Film | sensor_size = 56mm × 56mm | recording_medium = [120 film | lens_system = 60mm plastic [Lens (optics)#Lens construction | focus_type = manual zone (four settings)http://shop.lomography.com/holga/specifications/| shutter_speeds = 1/100http://www.apogeephoto.com/july2001/plastic_fantastic.shtml or 1/125, [Bulb (photography)| f_numbers = 8.0, 11.0| -->

The Holga is an inexpensive, Medium format (film) 120 film toy camera, originating in China, that later came to be appreciated for its low fidelity aesthetic.

The Holga's cheap construction and simple meniscus lens often yields pictures that display vignetting, Focus (optics), light leaks, and other distortions. Ironically, the camera's quality problems became a virtue among some photographers, with Holga photos winning awards and competitions in fine art photography and photojournalism.

History The camera was originally intended to provide an inexpensive mass-market camera for working-class Chinese in order to record family portraits and events. http://shop.lomography.com/holga/history/

Models

Holga 120S - The original Holga. Fixed shutter speed, adjustable focus, plastic lens, ineffective adjustable f/stop switch, hot shoe, and 6x4.5 film mask. Although now out of production, the 'WOCA' is actually identical but with glass lens.
Holga 120N - Updated version with the same "Japanese" plastic lens, tripod mount, bulb exposure mode, an easier-to-move film counter window switch, and an additional 6x6 film mask.

Holga 120SF - A standard Holga 120S, with a flash.
Holga 120GN - A Holga 120N with a glass lens.
Holga 120FN - A Holga 120N with a flash.
Holga 120GFN - A Holga 120FN with a glass lens.
Holga 120CFN - A Holga 120FN with a color flash.
Holga 120GCFN - A Holga 120CFN with a glass lens.

Lens .Most Holga cameras use a single-piece plastic meniscus photographic lens with a focal length of 60 millimeters and can focus from about 1 meter/yard to infinity. There is an aperture switch on the camera with two settings: sunny and cloudy. Due to a manufacturing defect, this switch has no effect and there is only one ('sunny') aperture of around f/11 - although this switch may be easily modified to provide two usable apertures.

As all single-piece meniscus lenses, the Holga lens exhibits soft focus and chromatic aberration. Other Holga variants, denoted either by the letter 'G' in their model name, or the name WOCA, feature a simple glass lens, but are otherwise identical in construction. The circle of coverage is meant to be for a 645 format, which the Holga is. When the camera mask is taken out and shot in a 6x6 (square format) the vignette is introduced.

Modifications and variants Holga cameras are often modified:

A Holga's interior can be "flocked" — coated with matte black paint — in order to limit the effect of light bouncing off the plastic interior from light leaks.http://www.holgamods.com/mods/mods.html
The Holga's aperture switch can be modified to set a large ('cloudy') and small ('sunny') aperture.http://squarefrog.co.uk/holga/index.php?id=aperturemod
The lens, and sometimes the entire shutter assembly, can be replaced with a Pinhole Photography (the "Pinholga").http://www.holgamods.com
The plastic lens can be replaced with a glass version (the "Woca").
Newer models of the camera come with multiple optional frame inserts (4.5x6cm and 6x6cm). Shooting without an insert can lead to problems keeping the 120 film flat against the film plane.

Some modifications permit the use of other film formats:

Holga cameras may be fitted with a Polaroid Corporation back, allowing use of Polaroid 80 series instant film, or with newer models, 100 series film (but the image is not centered). This modification, sometimes termed a "Holgaroid" or "Polga", renders the viewfinder unusable, but allows for instant Holga prints.
By sandwiching a normal 35mm roll of film into the Holga's 120 spool, "sprocket hole" exposures may be taken that expose the entire surface of 135 film.http://photondetector.com/tools_ref/135-advance/http://www.holgamods.com/faq/faq.html
Cameras such as the Hasselblad have been modified to make use of a Holga lens.http://www.holgamods.com/new/new.html